A badger in Bannerghatta: an opportunistic record of the Ratel Mellivora capensis (Schreber, 1776) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Mustelidae) from Karnataka, India

Main Article Content

Avinash Krishnan
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8990-5011
Sunil Panwar
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7905-8157
Aaranya Gayathri
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8542-343X
Sagarika Phalke
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6385-7157
Dilip Abani Venkateshaiah
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2451-1062

Abstract

A single observation of a Ratel Mellivora capensis has been photo-documented in Bannerghatta National Park on 2 November 2015. This record being the first contemporary evidence of badgers in this region of Karnataka, India, the paper also presents a case study of badgers being close to a highly human-dominated landscape which could be due to some ecological factors that may be conducive as a habitat within the Park. Though a resident population and distribution within the BNP could not be ascertained, it can be proposed that the region may be an extension of range of its most recently documented distribution in the Eastern Ghats landscape. 

Article Details

Section
Notes
Author Biographies

Avinash Krishnan, A Rocha India #13, Kasserguppe village, Bilwardahalli, Bannerghatta Post, Bangalore - 560083, Karnataka, India

Research Officer

Science and Conservation

A Rocha India

Sunil Panwar, Deputy Conservator of Forests Bannerghatta National Park Karnataka Forest Department Bangalore 560083 - Karnataka, India

Deputy Conservator of Forests

Bannerghatta National Park

Aaranya Gayathri, A Rocha India #13, Kasserguppe village, Bilwardahalli, Bannerghatta Post, Bangalore - 560083, Karnataka, India

Conservation Officer

A Rocha India

Sagarika Phalke, A Rocha India #13, Kasserguppe village, Bilwardahalli, Bannerghatta Post, Bangalore - 560083, Karnataka, India

Program Officer

A Rocha India

Dilip Abani Venkateshaiah, A Rocha India #13, Kasserguppe village, Bilwardahalli, Bannerghatta Post, Bangalore - 560083, Karnataka, India

Research Assistant 

A Rocha India

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